Join My Email List

Let's Get Social

Welcome!

Hey! I'm Beth, the DC-based blogger behind Beth's Journey. I write about all things weight loss, healthy living, and Weight Watchers and am currently on a mission to get back to Lifetime! I hope you find inspiration, ideas, and recipes as you browse. Thanks for stopping by!

Search

Can I just say how amazing it feels to finally be able to pay forward everything that Weight Watchers has given me over the (many) years? You can read about my first night training here, and how monumental it was for me finally being on the receiving end of the weight tracker. Now that I’ve been working for them for over a month and am fully trained, I love it even more than I did that first night because I finally feel like I know what I’m doing (somewhat).

I also feel like I’m semi-qualified to start answering some of the questions I’ve received over the last couple months about working for them, what it’s like, what the time commitment is, what the training is like, etc. and I figured it would be nice to dedicate a post or two to answering your questions!

In the interest of not having a terribly long/boring post, I’m going to break it up into two separate ones. Today I’ll answer mostly logistical questions, and the next Q&A post will address more experience related questions like how I like it, how to deliver bad news at the weigh in, if its more stressful than I thought, what it’s like to follow the program and also work for them, etc.

Even if you are not a weight watcher, I hope you still find this post interesting to get an insider’s look at WW, what the program is like, and how it’s structured.

Here goes!

1.) Do you have to have successfully lost weight through Weight Watchers to work for them?

Yes, you do and that’s one of my favorite parts about Weight Watchers! I think it’s SO refreshing that you have to have followed the program in order to work for them, because as someone who needs to lose weight, its just so comforting knowing that the people weighing you in and leading the meeting get it and have been there themselves.

2.) What are the different positions for Weight Watchers?

There are two different meeting room positions – Receptionists and Leaders. At the meetings, you do your weekly weigh in, have the opportunity to buy products if you want, and then sit down for a 30 minute group meeting. The receptionists are the ones who weigh people in, distribute the weekly program materials, process new members, and answer any questions about the program. Leaders run the 30 minute meeting and also help out with weighing in as needed and answering member questions. Leaders also lead a “Getting Started” session after the regular meeting for new members or people who just want a refresher. I am currently a Receptionist but would love to be a Leader and run the meetings some day.

3.) Do you have to be at your goal weight to start?

This one depends on your territory, but for DC, you do have to be Lifetime to be a Leader. This means hitting your goal and maintaining it within 2 lbs for 6 weeks. To be a receptionist, you just have to be within 10 lbs of a healthy weight for your height (which is me for now – zoning in on goal!). Some areas require you to be Lifetime for either position though.

4.) What is the minimum time commitment?

You have to be able to commit to a minimum of one meeting per week that you “own” and work every week. You can substitute for additional meetings, or take on more than one permanent weekly meeting, but one meeting is the absolute minimum. Just being a substitute and working occasionally is not an option.

5.) How early do you have to be at the meeting?

Weighing in starts 30 minutes before the meeting time. If it’s a Weight Watchers center, you generally have to get there 15 minutes before weigh in. If it’s a travelers center (meaning a church or other place that’s not solely for WW), you generally have to get there 30 minutes before weigh in to set up. So, if the meeting is at 6:30, you have to get there at 5:30 if its a traveler’s center, or 5:45 if its a WW center.

6.) Is it hard to balance with a full time job?

Yes and no. The training was actually pretty intense for a while, and there was one week where I had a phone thing on Monday and then trained at meetings Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. That was only one week though, and for now I’m just working one permanent meeting and a few extras here and there. Just doing the one meeting a week isn’t that hard time-wise for me. I leave work at 5, head over there by 5:30, usually leave by 8, so I’m home by 8:30/9. Not so bad for one night during the week.

7.) What is the training like?

Training is INTENSE and way more involved than I imagined! For a receptionist position, you have to train for four weeks at a travelers center, which I did every Tuesday through the month of March. You also have to take three online courses and tests (One about the basics of the program, one about the WW products, and one about completing the Tally) as well as 2 webinars (The Art of Customer Service and Welcome to Weight Watchers). Also, you have to train at 1-2 meetings at a computerized center so you can see how the computers work (way easier than the paper tally!).

8.) What is the pay like?

The million dollar question. Do NOT expect to get rich working for Weight Watchers. The pay for training is hourly and is minimum wage in your area. The pay for actually working is a formula based on how many people attend the meeting, how many products are purchased, and how many monthly passes are sold. There’s a minimum you get paid for each meeting, which is around $20 give or take, and then it can be more if your meeting is super busy or a ton of products are purchased, but it’s not a lot. You also get reimbursed for travel, so if you have to pay for parking, or have to pay for the metro, they give you back that money in your paycheck too which is nice.

9.) Are there other perks?

You get to follow WW for free and also get free E-tools, which is a great perk in my opinion! For you non WWers, e-tools are the online tools that you get when you pay for membership, including an online food tracker, recipe builder, weight tracker, food and restaurant lists, etc. I was spending $39.99 a month for all of that, so that extra $40 in my pocket definitely helps! You also get a hefty discount on all their products – 50% – so you can try any of the tools or food that is sold at the meetings, including electronics like the food scale and pedometer.

So that’s all I have for today! If you have any additional questions or want to know more details about anything above, please feel free to ask additional questions or for clarifications in the comments section!

Related

55 Comments on Q&A Part One: Working for Weight Watchers

Really interesting, I guess I forgot about all the sales part. I have never been to a meeting, I’d like to know about the topics, and what happens to people who plateau or aren’t losing–do they get some individual attention to help sort out their problems?

Kristin

June 1, 2014 at 9:42 pm (4 years ago)

Hi Marci! I have been attending weekly WW meetings for about 5 months now and think I can answer your question! Each month there is a new “unit” that WW covers, and each work you talk about different topics under that unit. For example, we recently had a month all about getting more active, and each week the main topic discussed had to do with being more active, whether it was how to fit in activity or different ideas on how to be more active. My leader had us break into groups depending on what kind of activity we liked to do (I joined the zumba group) and then for that month we would email others in the group to stay in touch and see how everyone was doing getting that activity in.

You are MORE than welcome to ask questions or share challenges at your meeting. I do often and my leader or others in the room always have helpful ideas.

As far as I know, leaders aren’t really available to take one-on-one meetings for individual support, but they are always available before and after meetings to answer questions you might have that you want to speak privately about. Otherwise, there is time during your meetings for you to air concerns and it’s really great to air these things during the meeting, if you are comfortable, because you may be helping others in that meeting with similar issues.

Dream job? Children’s Librarian or Librarian in general. I LOVE books and want to share my love of reading with other people. Nonprofit fundraisers don’t roll in the dough but librarians sure don’t make money.

A great leader can make a huge difference and so many WW meetings I’ve been to are led by older women who I can’t relate to. I had amazing leader once who was in her late 30’s and I was so successful with her. When she left because she needed a full time job, out meeting (it was an at work) fell apart because the new leader was out of touch with what we were going through. It was sad but is something that’s an issue. I think you’ll be an AMAZING leader!

Beth I love that you have been able to do this — and free etools is a great benefit of working for WW!

My dream job — honestly? Having people let me into their homes and clean/organize. Kind of like the professional organizers on Hoarders, but they would give me the freedom to get rid of anything I want!

If money wasn’t an option I think my dream job would be to work with & for the elderly. I’m amazed at how the elderly is treated – these are people who have experience so much and could teach us so much – they need to be respected and cared for.

Very cool to give us some insight into the process, Beth! I’m not on the WW plan specifically, but it’s still really cool to know some of the “behind the scenes” action.

As for my dream job… if money were no option, I would open up some sort of dog bakery/boutique. I know it sounds super hoity toity and most people probably think that’s lame, but I am *obsessed* with my dogs, and I know that any job where they’re the center of my focus would be my ultimate dream! 😀

Also, I just wanted to point out in your blog, for point number 4, on the time commitment – that must depend on the territory. We do have many people in our area that are just substitute receptionists and leaders. 🙂

Sounds like you are a natural! I worked for WW as a receptionist for several years and the perks vary across the country. In central Ohio, you still have to pay weekly (a few less dollars) and our discount was 20%. I had to give it up because I needed to focus on my own business but the Program continues to be excellent!

I think you’d be a great leader! I don’t go to meetings because the only one that works with my schedule has an unmotivating leader. She is such a sweet older lady but she is always talking about how you don’t need to exercise and saying that exercise causes water retention and it will hurt your weigh-ins!

I have always thought I’d like to own a little tea shop. I’d sell tea and scones. Gluten free scones I guess. 🙂

Kelly Kokoska

April 6, 2011 at 7:40 pm (7 years ago)

I love being a leader. I love giving back what was given to me when I was losing my weight. Leading one meeting each week actually gives me an extra meeting, since I still attend my regular meeting as a member. I love what WW has done for me and now WW has given me the opportunity to do something I love doing. Leading is so much fun for me. I love you posts each day. You inspire me to eat well, and exercise hard. keep writing.

When I did WW, I jumped around a few different meetings. I didn’t find a leader I really liked until the last few months. However, I remember the receptionist from the Tuesday night meetings more. She was always so encouraging and much more personable than the leader even if the interactions were really short.

I’m lifetime now but haven’t been to a meeting since last summer. I kept weighing in 2 lbs over goal weight and didn’t feel like paying $10. If I was at goal weight, I’d probably try and make a meeting.

Thanks for sharing this info. As a former weight watchers member I often wondered about some of this. What a great opportunity for you to share your knowledge and help others. You will make a great leader someday girl!

Thanks for sharing this info. As a former weight watchers member I often wondered about some of this. What a great opportunity for you to share your knowledge and help others. You will make a great leader someday girl!!!!

Oh I seriously love love love WW and cannot wait to go back for my first meeting. Seriously, it is such a wonderful system and I love that company! Thanks for sharing these points, it is helpful to know as I have often questioned an interest to work for them.

If money were no issue I would be a spin instructor and a health consultant to help teach people the basics in turning their life around one day at a time to be happy and healthy.

Sharon

December 30, 2011 at 11:05 am (7 years ago)

I am very interested in applying for a WW leader (just have a little ways to go to meet my goal to be a lifetimer!). My WW leader has encouraged me to apply since the interview process and training may take a while. I have a question since I need to talk to my husband about applying. I just wanted to make sure I understood you correctly. Do we get paid for all of the training time, e.g., 3-day training in Dallas or Chicago, training as a receptionist, etc?

I just found your blog post yesterday via Google. It was very informative and encouraging! Keep up the good work!! You look absolutely fantastic!!

Beth

December 30, 2011 at 11:14 am (7 years ago)

Hi Sharon! How exciting that you are zoning in on your goal weight!! I looove Weight Watchers and think its such a great program!!! And regarding your question, yes, you do get paid for all your training time. It’s usually hourly, and minimum wage for your area, so its a modest amount at most. WW does pay to put you up in a hotel and for your flight if you travel for the 3 day training, and you also get paid hourly for all the training you do at meetings. Then, of course, you get paid for the meetings you work, but its not a lot, so you definitely can’t do it just for the money! I love how it holds me accountable though and its amazing to be able to pay forward everything that I got from my Leader/Receptionists while I was following the program and losing weight! Feel free to ask any other questions you may have!

Pam

Dr. Shubha Thatte

May 14, 2012 at 1:51 pm (6 years ago)

Dear Beth ,
It was gr8 to read about your journey ! I have a friend who is 24 yrs. old weighing 90 Kgs. who has been trying to knock off few kilos without success as her motivation flags of & on. I was wondering if she starts a WW club herself she may be able to keep up her spirits & motivation . She is from Pune a city in Maharashtra state , India. What do you feel ? She is willing to do any training course ( if it is on net ) . Can you help her plan ?
Love ,
Shubha

mina

May 23, 2012 at 1:47 am (6 years ago)

Dear Beth, I love ur blog its wonderful I too am on my way to hopefully becoming a receptionist for weight watchers too.However I have a little problem I had to change my e mail address and I don’t know how to tell them at W.W.That I had to do this so I am unable to communicate with them. Any ideas of how to go about this ? Thanx I really appreciate it !! I also had quite a journey but W.W. Is amazing I love it !! Bye thank you ,Mina

Beth

August 26, 2012 at 6:36 pm (6 years ago)

You’ve got a great name too! 😉 It depends on the different territories as to what the rule is. In DC, you have to be within 10 lbs to be a receptionist, but at goal/Lifetime to be a leader. Some territories you have to be lifetime for both, and others may allow you to be further off. I’m not sure how the application process works, but I’d go to your center/meeting and talk to the leader and/or receptionists there about it. They can give you the contact info for your territory manager, and he/she should be able to help you along!

Beth

September 10, 2012 at 8:52 am (6 years ago)

Hi Stacey! I work fulltime as well and just lead one meeting a week for WW. It depends on your territory as to what the requirements/time commitment are, but most people in DC work fulltime and just work a few meetings on the side.

Christine

October 16, 2012 at 1:14 am (6 years ago)

Hi Beth! I am glad I found your blog..I just applied to become a WW receptionist…I am 5 pounds away from my goal weight. I want to be a Leader also….the leader in my area for the morning meetings wants me to replace her…I am just wondering, how long did you have to wait to hear back from somebody at WW after you applied online? I only applied last week, but I am anxious and want a job REALLY BADLY! Thanks, I LOVE your blog and all the info I can get! 🙂
Christine Lairmore

Beth

October 16, 2012 at 9:00 am (6 years ago)

Hi Christine! How exciting that you’re so close to goal!! I honestly don’t remember how long it took to hear back, but if I were you, I’d ask your current leader to put you in touch with your territory manager, which is who you will interview with eventually. It’ll help the process move much quicker!

Janette

December 5, 2012 at 11:52 am (6 years ago)

Hi,

I want to say thank you so much for this information because I have the same dream too, and your LIVING it, THANK YOU for sharing. I’d LOVE to have you as a WW leader!! Thanks for the behind the scenes look at working for weight watchers!!!

Anna

February 5, 2013 at 11:58 am (6 years ago)

Thanks for your insight. I’m about to have a pre-interview this afternoon for your same position. Are you still happy working there? Do you remember what type of questions they’ll ask me during the interview? Also, did they pay you for the online classes and tests you had to take online for the training? Thank you!

Marjorie

February 23, 2013 at 7:08 pm (5 years ago)

Saying that you will not get rich working for Weight Watchers is an understatement. You are not able to make a living wage working for Weight Watchers. Basically, it’s like working for free but getting paid for the mileage. Weight Watchers takes advantage of its service providers.

Darryl Zoller

May 9, 2013 at 9:04 am (5 years ago)

Hi, Beth. I read your post and enjoyed it. I worked as a substitute Leader in Weight Watchers for four years. I also subbed as a receptionist often. In south central PA, at least, being a substitute leader or receptionist is very much an option. I am retired, so this option worked well for me.